3 Ways to Beat This February Fatigue (Anyone Else Feeling Zonked?)

With all this cold and gray going on right now, it's so easy to sit at your desk, stare out the window, and sigh...all while your energy levels plummet. (And now you know exactly what I did all morning.)

It's hard to feel so slumpy and tired and blah—plus, it means there's a greater chance that you won't stick to your exercise routine for the day, or reach for sugary foods in an attempt to make yourself feel better. The sluggishness can even spill over into your working life too, according to Karen Elizaga, author of Find Your Sweet Spot: A Guide to Personal and Professional Excellence—and no one wants to get fired for being a slug. So it's worth it to try some of these pull-yourself-out-of-the-winter-blues ideas, right?

Take an "air bath": Right, it's cold out there. But make it a point to head outside even for a few minutes. Sitting stagnant under fluorescent lights is bad for your energy levels, Elizaga says—some studies have found that sitting for too long may be linked with depression and even early death (eek!). Even a little bit of sun triggers your skin to make vitamin D, and research has found that people who head out for a breath of fresh air report lower levels of stress.

Pop some tunes: Fill your playlist with songs that make you feel smile and maybe even get your feet tapping. If you're at work—and it's allowed—put in some earbuds, or listen during your lunch hour or morning commute. Listening to music actually releases dopamine in the same area of your brain that feels happy when you eat something especially tasty. Experts say it takes just 15 to 30 minutes of listening in order to get the best feel-happy results.

Sit up straight: You might think that feeling tired should naturally result in slouching at your computer...but really, you should do the opposite! Sitting tall opens up your lungs—meaning more oxygen for easier breathing and even increased focus and attention. Good posture also minimizes the stress put on your joints and back from slumping. Fewer aches and pains = more reason to smile, right?

Do you have any tricks to revving yourself up during these cold, cold times?